Photos: Running Art Made By Runners

Inspired by the sport they love, these people channeled their creativity into works of art.

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Maggie Tides Design

Maggie Tides Design
“I'm really inspired, not only by the incredible beauty of the (Western States) trail, but also by the reverence that runners everywhere have for it,” says Maggie Tides, an ultrarunner who just signed up for her first 100-miler. “The Western States trail is a mecca for runners. My boyfriend will be racing on it this year for the first time, and I designed the original canvas as a gift for him. But I had so many requests from friends and family that I decided to start selling them.”

Running Art

Running Art
“I always loved art more than anything but never was encouraged to pursue it as a career,” says Coreen Steinbach, a masters runner who won numerous medals and championships at the world and national level. “I did a painting of runners at a starting line and my friends all said they would love to have a print of it. That started the whole sports aspect of my art career.” She then went on to do several running-inspired paintings that have been reproduced and also does commission pieces for races. “It has been so awesome because running is such a huge part of my own life and it has enabled me to combine my two loves.”

JHill Design

Evan Johnson

JHill Design
“I've lived in Boston for almost 20 years and after the bombings, I wanted to make something that focused on the great things about the marathon,” says designer Jennifer Hill, who had originally created some maps for a friend’s sister who ran a series of marathons. “I decided to do maps that would focus on the best things about a marathon - the determination and hard work of the runner. That's why the runner's time is so prominent on the map. I love making them, helping people commemorate all their hard work and effort though art.”

Big League Prints

Evan Johnson

Big League Prints
“I love running and I enjoy digital design so I figured why not combine them?” says Chuck Babbino. His Etsy shop currently has designs for Boston & New York City marathons. “I have run New York, and I loved it! I am hoping to run Boston one day. I just need to qualify. I have my New York City Marathon prints hanging in my office and I have the Boston one ready to be hung as soon I run it. It keeps me motivated for that BQ!”

Ellen Brenneman Studios

Ellen Brenneman Studios
“I decided to create a running piece as an extension to the yoga series I was also working on at the time,” says Ellen Brenneman. She had become friends with many runners via her blog. “I had several requests for a motivational running piece of art from readers who were training for races or just getting started on their journey to better health.”

Steph Lawson Design

Steph Lawson Design
“I got the idea for my shop during a summer run along the Genesee River. I was decorating my apartment and struggling to find the perfect artwork. I went for a run, hoping a solution would come to me (my best ideas all seem to happen while running), and it hit me – I’m an art teacher with a graphic design background. I could certainly make my own art!” says Steph Lawson. “I’m constantly adding new designs to my shop, because I’m constantly coming up with new ideas. I get ideas from funny signs spectators bring to races, from my students (I teach high school art), and from my customers. As creepy as it sounds, sometimes I’ll overhear other runners conversing, and think, ‘That would make such a good print!’”

Nuntchi Wire Mesh Sculpture

Nuntchi Wire Mesh Sculpture
“I always had the passion to create,” says Nurit Ravhon, a sculptor from Israel. “I worked a few years in mosaic art, looking for different works to cover them with mosaic tiles. In my search I came across with the metal wire mesh sculpturing art and I fell in love with it!” As a child, Nurit was the slowest runner in her class and didn’t enjoy running, even when her friends started taking it up. Now that it is a choice and not a necessity, she has started jogging again along the trails in the forests near her village. “The sculpture of the running man is a symbol that sport doesn't have to be linked to competition but can bring joy, satisfaction and good feeling also as a hobby.”

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